Context surfacing in collections

ABSTRACT

A messaging system, which hosts a backend service for an associated messaging client, includes a context surfacing system that provides context surfacing functionality in collections. The context surfacing system is configured to surface information representing a context object associated with a collection as a context string in a cell that represents the collection in a collections user interface. A cell that represents the collection in a collections user interface is actionable to cause presentation of the set of media content items in the collection on a display device of the viewer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to facilitating interactionsbetween client devices over a network.

BACKGROUND

The popularity of computer-implemented tools that permit users to accessand interact with content and other users online continues to grow. Forexample, various computer-implemented tools exist that permit users tointeract and share content with other users through messagingapplications. Some of such computer-implemented tools, termedapplications or apps, can be designed to run on a mobile device such asa phone, a tablet, or a watch.

A messaging app, for example, facilitates communication and dataexchange between users and may also permit users to create a collectionof content items captured by a camera. A reference to a collection ispresented on a designated user interface (UI) screen and can include thename of a user who created the collection and a reduced size version ofthe user's profile picture. The viewing user can access the content in acollection (e.g., video clips and/or images that may be accompanied bysound clips, animation and captions) by tapping on the reference to thecollection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. To easily identifythe discussion of any particular element or act, the most significantdigit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number inwhich that element is first introduced. Some examples are illustrated byway of example, and not limitation, in the figures of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a networked environment inwhich the present disclosure may be deployed, in accordance with someexamples.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a messaging system, inaccordance with some examples, that has both client-side and server-sidefunctionality.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a data structure asmaintained in a database, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a message, in accordance withsome examples.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an access-limiting process, in accordance withsome examples.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for facilitating context surfacing incollections, in accordance with some examples.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collections userinterface.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a further example of a collections userinterface.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions may be executed forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein, in accordance with some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a messaging system that hosts a backend service for an associatedmessaging client, the content items captured by a camera may beaggregated into collections. A collection can be activated to cause thecontent items in the collection to be presented on a display device,where the content items are displayed automatically one after another,each for a predetermined period of time. An item in a collectionincludes content captured by a camera (an image or a video) and can alsohave additional content, such as a caption, an overlaid image (static oranimated), an audio clip, or an interactive tool. For the purposes ofthis description, content captured by a camera included in an item in acollection is referred to as the main content. Content included in anitem in a collection, which is in addition to the main content (e.g., acaption, an overlaid image, an audio clip, or an interactive tool), aswell as various metadata associated with an item in the collection orwith the entire collection is referred to as context or context objectsassociated with the collection. For example, an item in a collectionthat has a photo of a person at a sports event as the main content mayalso include a context object, which is an animated image of a cheeringcartoon character overlaid over the photo and/or another context object,which is a caption reading “GO TEAM!”, Another example of context isinformation indicating the use of one or more tools, such as anaugmented reality component, in generating an item in the collection.For example, if an item in the collection is an image captured by acamera using an augmented reality component that adds dog ears to theperson in the image, the associated context object may be anidentification of that augmented reality component. Yet another exampleof context is information indicative of a state of the client deviceoperated by the user who created the collection, e.g., low battery stateor a state indicating the geographic location of the client device.

While a collection may include not only the captured images and video,but also diverse and interesting context, making a collection availablefor viewing in the messaging system by identifying, in a cellreferencing the collection, merely the person who created the collection(collection owner) may not be sufficient for a potential viewer todetermine whether the collection contains information that may be ofinterest (e.g., an interesting image with a clever caption) or of use(e.g., an interactive tool or information about the) to them.Furthermore, while a collection item may include an actionable contextobject, e.g., an interactive tool, that can be activated by a viewerduring the presentation of the collection item for a predeterminedperiod of time, the viewer may forget to or not have enough time to takeaction while viewing the collection item. The technical problem ofenhancing usability and utility of collections is addressed byincluding, with the messaging system, a context surfacing system.

The context surfacing system is configured to surface informationrepresenting a context object associated with a collection as a contextstring in a cell that represents the collection in a collections userinterface. A cell that represents the collection in a collections userinterface is actionable to cause presentation of the set of mediacontent items in the collection on a display device of the viewer.Surfacing information representing a context object associated with acollection permits potential viewers to make a more informed decisionabout whether to activate the collection and watch the presentation ofthe associated set of media content items. For the purposes of thisdescription, the context string included in a cell representing acollection may be referred to as subtext, and the context object used togenerate the context string may be referred to as a subtext trigger.

The context surfacing system may be also configured to surface a contextobject as a user-selectable element in a cell that represents acollection, that was previously viewed by a viewer, in a collectionsuser interface presented on a display device of the viewer. A contextobject used to generate a user-selectable element in a cell thatrepresents a previously viewed collection may be termed a post viewtrigger. A post view trigger may be an actionable context object, suchas an interactive tool. An interactive tool included in an item from acollection is a user-selectable element actionable to effectuate anaction from within that item. An example of an interactive tool is auser-selectable element that can be activated to initiate a game sessionfor the viewer of the associated collection. Another example of aninteractive tool is a visual control actionable to unlock an augmentedreality component for the viewer of a collection. In some examples, acontext object that is not a user-selectable element that can beactivated by a viewer during the presentation of the collection item maybe designated in the subtext surfacing system as a post view trigger.For example, a context object in a collection may reference a user whois not connected, in the messaging system, to the viewer of theassociated collection Such context object may be designated in thesubtext surfacing system as a post view trigger, which results inincluding, in a cell that represents the collection after it has beenviewed, a user-selectable element that can be activated to request thata profile of the user who is not connected to the viewer is designatedin a profile representing the viewer in the messaging system as aconnection of the user and that the profile of the viewer is designatedas a connection in the profile representing the user. The contextsurfacing system may select, for generating a post-view user-selectableelement, a context object that is associated with an item most recentlyadded to the collection or a post view trigger that is associated withany other item in the collection.

The context surfacing system may be configured to include, in a cellrepresenting a collection, a single context string, even when multiplecontext objects associated with the collection could be used to generaterespective informative context strings. The context surfacing system maybe configured to use a context object from the content item in thecollection that was most recently added to the collection. Furthermore,additionally or alternatively, context objects may be assignedrespective predetermined categories or types. For example, a contextobject, which is included in a content item in a collection in additionto the main content, such as a caption or an effect produced by anaugmented reality component, may be assigned a first type, while acontext object that is metadata indicating the state of the clientdevice of the user who created the collection, may be assigned a secondtype. These types may be assigned different priority values that can beused to determine which context object is to be used for generating thecontext string to be included in the cell representing the collection inthe collections user interface. Context objects of the same type can beprioritized based on a predetermined ranking of the context objects ofthat type. In some examples, the context surfacing system selects acontext object for surfacing in a collections interface, as a subtext oras a post view user-selectable element, based on the priority valueassigned to the type of the context object.

While the content items in a collection are displayed to a viewerautomatically, one after another, each for a predetermined period oftime, the collection itself may be configured to become unavailable forviewing after a predetermined period of time, e.g., after 24 hours. Asexplained above, the cell representing the collection comprises thecontext string that provides information about the collection or aboutone or more of the items in the collection, in addition to informationidentifying the person who created the collection. In some examples, acell representing a collection includes a reduced image (a thumbnail) ofthe most recently added content item from the collection, and, thecontext string represents a context object associated with the mostrecently added content item from the collection. A cell representing acollection may include an indication of a remaining time period, withinwhich a user can view the collection, e.g., how many hours are remainingin the least recent content item in the collection. In some examples, anindication of a remaining time period for viewing the collection,relative to the entire period within which a collection is available foraccess (e.g., 24 hours), is in the form of a ring displayed around thethumbnail of the most recently added content item from the collection,with 24 hours represented by the 360 degrees of the ring. The time ringshows the portion of the time period, within which a user can still viewthe collection, by expiring in a clockwise fashion, the expired timeperiod indicated by a color or shade of the ring that is different fromthe color indicating the remaining time period.

Networked Computing Environment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example messaging system 100 forexchanging data (e.g., messages and associated content) over a network,within which a context surfacing system can be implemented. Themessaging system 100 includes multiple instances of a client device 102,each of which hosts a number of applications, including a messagingclient 104. Each messaging client 104 is communicatively coupled toother instances of the messaging client 104 and a messaging serversystem 108 via a network 106 (e.g., the Internet).

A messaging client 104 is can communicate and exchange data with anothermessaging client 104 and with the messaging server system 108 via thenetwork 106. The data exchanged between messaging client 104, andbetween a messaging client 104 and the messaging server system 108,includes functions (e.g., commands to invoke functions) as well aspayload data (e.g., text, audio, video or other multimedia data).

The messaging server system 108 provides server-side functionality viathe network 106 to a particular messaging client 104. While certainfunctions of the messaging system 100 are described herein as beingperformed by either a messaging client 104 or by the messaging serversystem 108, the location of certain functionality either within themessaging client 104 or the messaging server system 108 may be a designchoice. For example, it may be technically preferable to initiallydeploy certain technology and functionality within the messaging serversystem 108 but to later migrate this technology and functionality to themessaging client 104 where a client device 102 has sufficient processingcapacity.

The messaging server system 108 supports various services and operationsthat are provided to the messaging client 104. Such operations includetransmitting data to, receiving data from, and processing data generatedby the messaging client 104. This data may include message content,client device information, geolocation information, media augmentationand overlays, message content persistence conditions, social networkinformation, and live event information, as examples. Data exchangeswithin the messaging system 100 are invoked and controlled throughfunctions available via user interfaces (UIs) of the messaging client104.

Turning now specifically to the messaging server system 108, anApplication Program Interface (API) server 110 is coupled to, andprovides a programmatic interface to, application servers 112. Theapplication servers 112 are communicatively coupled to a database server118, which facilitates access to a database 120 that stores dataassociated with messages processed by the application servers 112.Similarly, a web server 124 is coupled to the application servers 112,and provides web-based interfaces to the application servers 112. Tothis end, the web server 124 processes incoming network requests overthe Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and several other relatedprotocols.

The Application Program Interface (API) server 110 receives andtransmits message data (e.g., commands and message payloads) between theclient device 102 and the application servers 112. Specifically, theApplication Program Interface (API) server 110 provides a set ofinterfaces (e.g., routines and protocols) that can be called or queriedby the messaging client 104 in order to invoke functionality of theapplication servers 112. The Application Program interface (API) server110 exposes various functions supported by the application servers 112,including account registration, login functionality, the sending ofmessages, via the application servers 112, from a particular messagingclient 104 to another messaging client 104, the sending of media files(e.g., images or video) from a messaging client 104 to a messagingserver 114, and for possible access by another messaging client 104, thesettings of a collection of media data (e.g., story), the retrieval of alist of friends of a user of a client device 102, the retrieval of suchcollections, the retrieval of messages and content, the addition anddeletion of entities (e.g., friends) to an entity graph (e.g., a socialgraph), the location of friends within a social graph, and opening anapplication event (e.g., relating to the messaging client 104).

The application servers 112 host a number of server applications andsubsystems, including for example a messaging server 114, an imageprocessing server 116, and a social network server 122. The messagingserver 114 implements a number of message processing technologies andfunctions, particularly related to the aggregation and other processingof content (e.g., textual and multimedia content) included in messagesreceived from multiple instances of the messaging client 104. Otherprocessor and memory intensive processing of data may also be performedserver-side by the messaging server 114, in view of the hardwarerequirements for such processing.

The application servers 112 also include an image processing server 116that is dedicated to performing various image processing operations,typically with respect to images or video within the payload of amessage sent from or received at the messaging server 114.

The social network server 122 supports various social networkingfunctions and services and makes these functions and services availableto the messaging server 114. To this end, the social network server 122maintains and accesses an entity graph 306 (as shown in FIG. 3) withinthe database 120. Examples of functions and services supported by thesocial network server 122 include the identification of other users ofthe messaging system 100 with which a particular user has relationshipsor is “following,” and also the identification of other entities andinterests of a particular user.

The application servers 112 and at the messaging client 104 performvarious functions of the context surfacing system. For example, theaggregation of the media content items from multiple sources into acollection may be performed by the application servers 112, so that thecollection can then made available to the messaging client 104 via acollections user interface. The collections user interface, which isdescribed further below with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, can begenerated by the applications servers 112 and/or by the messaging client104. As explained above, an example collections user interface displayscells that reference respective collections. A cell, or auser-selectable element provided within a cell, is actionable toactivate the collection and to cause the content items in the collectionto be displayed automatically one after another, each for apredetermined period of time (e.g., one or more seconds). A collectionmay be configured to expire, to become no longer available for access byusers, after a predetermined period of time, e.g., after 24 hours. Anexample collections user interface illustrating a cell with subtext,representing a collection not yet viewed by a user is described furtherbelow with reference to FIG. 7, which is described further below. FIG.8, which is described further below, illustrates a cell representing apreviously viewed collection, where the cell includes a post view userselectable element.

System Architecture

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating further details regarding themessaging system 100, according to some examples. Specifically, themessaging system 100 is shown to comprise the messaging client 104 andthe application servers 112. The messaging system 100 embodies a numberof subsystems, which are supported on the client-side by the messagingclient 104 and on the sever-side by the application servers 112. Thesesubsystems include, for example, an ephemeral timer system 202, acollection management system 204, an augmentation system 206, and a gamesystem 210.

The ephemeral timer system 202 is responsible for enforcing thetemporary or time-limited access to content by the messaging client 104and the messaging server 114. The ephemeral timer system 202incorporates a number of timers that, based on duration and displayparameters associated with a message, or collection of messages (e.g., astory), selectively enable access (e.g., for presentation and display)to messages and associated content via the messaging client 104. Forexample, one or more timers in the ephemeral timer system 202 enablesaccess to collections comprising respective sets of media content itemsfor a specified time period, e.g., for 24 hours, or for a duration of anevent, e.g., a sports event or a music concert, to which the contentrelates. Further details regarding the operation of the ephemeral timersystem 202 are provided below.

The augmentation system 206 provides various functions that enable auser to augment (e.g., annotate or otherwise modify or edit) mediacontent associated with a message. For example, the augmentation system206 provides functions related to the generation and publishing of mediaoverlays for messages processed by the messaging system 100. Theaugmentation system 206 operatively supplies a media overlay oraugmentation (e.g., an image filter) to the messaging client 104 basedon a geolocation of the client device 102, in another example, theaugmentation system 206 operatively supplies a media overlay to themessaging client 104 based on other information, such as social networkinformation of the user of the client device 102. A media overlay mayinclude audio and visual content and visual effects. Examples of audioand visual content include pictures, texts, logos, animations, and soundeffects. An example of a visual effect includes color overlaying. Theaudio and visual content or the visual effects can be applied to a mediacontent item (e.g., a photo) at the client device 102. For example, themedia overlay may include text or image that can be overlaid on top of aphotograph taken by the client device 102. The media overlays may bestored in the database 120 and accessed through the database server 118.The game system 210 provides various gaming functions within the contextof the messaging client 104. The messaging client 104 provides a gameinterface providing a list of available games that can be launched by auser within the context of the messaging client 104, and played withother users of the messaging system 100. The messaging system 100further enables a particular user to invite other users to participatein the play of a specific game, by issuing invitations to such otherusers from the messaging client 104. The messaging client 104 alsosupports both the voice and text messaging (e.g., chats) within thecontext of gameplay, provides a leaderboard for the games, and alsosupports the provision of in-game rewards.

The collection management system 204 is responsible for managing sets orcollections of media (e.g., collections of text, image video, and audiodata). Such a collection may be made available for a specified timeperiod, e.g., for 24 hours, or for a duration of an event to which thecontent relates. For example, content relating to a music concert may bemade available as a “story” for the duration of that music concert. Anindication of a remaining time period for viewing the collection may beprovided in a collections user interface. In some examples, anindication of a remaining time period for viewing the collection,relative to the entire period within which a collection is available foraccess (e.g., 24 hours), is in the form of a ring displayed around thethumbnail of the most recently added content item from the collection,with 24 hours represented by the 360 degrees of the ring. The time ringshows the portion of the time period, within which a user can still viewthe collection, by expiring in a clockwise fashion, the expired timeperiod indicated by a color or shade of the ring that is different fromthe color indicating the remaining time period. A collections userinterface is generated by a context surfacing system 212.

The context surfacing system 212 is configured to cooperate with othersystems shown in FIG. 2, specifically with the collection managementsystem 204 and the ephemeral timer system 202. In some examples, thecontext surfacing system 212 may be part of the collection managementsystem 204. As described above, the context surfacing system 212 isconfigured to surface information representing a context objectassociated with a collection in a cell that represents the collection ina collections user interface and that is actionable to causepresentation of the set of media content items in the collection on adisplay device of the viewer. The context surfacing system 212 may bealso configured to surface a context object as a user-selectable elementin a cell that represents a collection, that was previously viewed by aviewer, in a collections user interface presented on a display device ofthe viewer.

Data Architecture

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating data structures 300, whichmay be stored in the database 120 of the messaging server system 108,according to certain examples. While the content of the database 120 isshown to comprise a number of tables, it will be appreciated that thedata could be stored in other types of data structures (e.g., as anobject-oriented database).

The database 120 includes message data stored within a message table302. This message data includes, for any particular one message, atleast message sender data, message recipient (or receiver) data, and apayload. Further details regarding information that may be included in amessage, and included within the message data stored in the messagetable 302 is described below with reference to FIG. 4.

An entity table 304 stores entity data, and is linked (e.g.,referentially) to an entity graph 306 and profile data 308. Entities forwhich records are maintained within the entity table 304 may includeindividuals, corporate entities, organizations, objects, places, events,and so forth. Regardless of entity type, any entity regarding which themessaging server system 108 stores data may be a recognized entity. Eachentity is provided with a unique identifier, as well as an entity typeidentifier (not shown).

The entity graph 306 stores information regarding relationships andassociations between entities. Such relationships may be social,professional (e.g., work at a common corporation or organization)interested-based or activity-based, merely for example.

The profile data 308 stores multiple types of profile data about aparticular entity. The profile data 308 may be selectively used andpresented to other users of the messaging system 100, based on privacysettings specified by a particular entity. Where the entity is anindividual, the profile data 308 includes, for example; a user name,telephone number; address, settings (e.g., notification and privacysettings), as well as a user-selected avatar representation (orcollection of such avatar representations). A particular user may thenselectively include one or more of these avatar representations withinthe content of messages communicated via the messaging system 100, andon map interfaces displayed by messaging clients 104 to other users. Thecollection of avatar representations may include “status avatars,” whichpresent a graphical representation of a status or activity that the usermay select to communicate at a particular time.

Where the entity is a group, the profile data 308 for the group maysimilarly include one or more avatar representations associated with thegroup, in addition to the group name, members, and various settings(e.g., notifications) for the relevant group.

The database 120 also stores augmentation data, such as overlays orfilters, in an augmentation table 310. The augmentation data isassociated with and applied to videos (for which data is stored in avideo table 314) and images (for which data is stored in an image table316). Other augmentation data that may be stored within the image table316 includes augmented reality content items (e.g., corresponding toapplying Lenses or augmented reality experiences). An augmented realitycontent item may be a real-time special effect and sound that may beadded to an image or a video.

A story table 312 stores data regarding collections of messages andassociated image, video, or audio data; which are compiled into acollection (e.g., a story or a gallery). The creation of a particularcollection may be initiated by a particular user (e.g., each user forwhich a record is maintained in the entity table 304). A user may createa “personal story” in the form of a collection of content that has beencreated and sent/broadcast by that user. To this end, the user interfaceof the messaging client 104 may include an icon that is user-selectableto enable a sending user to add specific content to his or her personalstory. The data regarding image, video, or audio data, which arecompiled into a collection may include data associated with the contextobjects, such as respective types of the context objects, respectivesubstrings associated with the context objects, if any, and therespective post view actions associated with the context objects, ifany. Examples of context objects and their respective types of thecontext objects, respective sub strings associated with the contextobjects, if any, and the respective post view actions associated withthe context objects are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Context object Context string Post View (Subtext trigger) Type(Subtext) Action Caption Tools “Caption” Venue Filter Tools At YankeeView Stadium Venue Profile Game Tools Played a Game Play Game Group CallTools Created a Group Join Overlay Call Invite Group Call Event OverlayTools Created an Event Join Invite Event Poll Overlay Tools Created aPoll Answer Poll Attachment Tools Attached a Link Open Link LocationTools Heading to NYC View indication on Map Music Tools “Little Song”Play the by Future song Topic Tools #MambaForever Contribute to TopicMention of Tools Mentioned Jeremy a friend Voss Mention of ToolsMentioned Add non-friend a Friend Friend Augmented reality ToolsAugmented Load the component used reality Augmented component Namereality component Speed indication Tools 0 MPH Overlay Weather OverlayTools 32° F. Thunderstorms from previously Messaging 2 months ago fromsaved content system Trip to Cartagena Map Status Post MessagingTraveled to View system Woodland, WA on Map Posting location MessagingTraveling in View while traveling system Miami on Map Low Battery UserBattery running Device low

A collection may also constitute a “live story,” which is a collectionof content from multiple users that is created manually, automatically,or using a combination of manual and automatic techniques. For example,a “live story” may constitute a curated stream of user-submitted contentfrom varies locations and events. Users whose client devices havelocation services enabled and are at a common location event at aparticular time may, for example, be presented with an option, via auser interface of the messaging client 104, to contribute content to aparticular live story. The live story may be identified to the user bythe messaging client 104, based on his or her location. The end resultis a “live story” told from a community perspective. A further type ofcontent collection is known as a “location story,” which enables a userwhose client device 102 is located within a specific geographic location(e.g., on a college or university campus) to contribute to a particularcollection. In some examples, a contribution to a location story mayrequire a second degree of authentication to verify that the end userbelongs to a specific organization or other entity (e.g., is a studenton the university campus).

As mentioned above, the video table 314 stores video data that, in oneexample, is associated with messages for which records are maintainedwithin the message table 302. Similarly, the image table 316 storesimage data associated with messages for which message data is stored inthe entity table 304. The entity table 304 may associate variousaugmentations from the augmentation table 310 with various images andvideos stored in the image table 316 and the video table 314.

Data Communications Architecture

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a message 400,according to some examples, generated by a messaging client 104 forcommunication to a further messaging client 104 or the messaging server114. The content of a particular message 400 is used to populate themessage table 302 stored within the database 120, accessible by themessaging server 114. Similarly, the content of a message 400 is storedin memory as “in-transit” or “in-flight” data of the client device 102or the application servers 112. A message 400 is shown to include thefollowing example components:

-   -   message identifier 402: a unique identifier that identifies the        message 400.    -   message text payload 404: text, to be generated by a user via a        user interface of the client device 102, and that is included in        the message 400,    -   message image payload 406: image data, captured by a camera        component of a client device 102 or retrieved from a memory        component of a client device 102, and that is included in the        message 400, Image data for a sent or received message 400 may        be stored in the image table 316.    -   message video payload 408: video data, captured by a camera        component or retrieved from a memory component of the client        device 102, and that is included in the message 400. Video data        for a sent or received message 400 may be stored in the video        table 314.    -   message audio payload 410: audio data, captured by a microphone        or retrieved from a memory component of the client device 102,        and that is included in the message 400.    -   message augmentation data 412: augmentation data (e.g., filters,        stickers, or other annotations or enhancements) that represents        augmentations to be applied to message image payload 406,        message video payload 408, or message audio payload 410 of the        message 400. Augmentation data for a sent or received message        400 may be stored in the augmentation table 310.    -   message duration parameter 414: parameter value indicating, in        seconds, the amount of time for which content of the message        (e.g., the message image payload 406, message video payload 408,        message audio payload 410) is to be presented or made accessible        to a user via the messaging client 104.    -   message geolocation parameter 416: geolocation data (e.g.,        latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates) associated with the        content payload of the message. Multiple message geolocation        parameter 416 values may be included in the payload, each of        these parameter values being associated with respect to content        items included in the content (e.g., a specific image into        within the message image payload 406, or a specific video in the        message video payload 408).    -   message story identifier 418: identifier values identifying one        or more content collections (e.g., “stories” identified in the        story table 312) with which a particular content item in the        message image payload 406 of the message 400 is associated. For        example, multiple images within the message image payload 406        may each be associated with multiple content collections using        identifier values,    -   message tag 420: each message 400 may be tagged with multiple        tags, each of which is indicative of the subject matter of        content included in the message payload. For example, where a        particular image included in the message image payload 406        depicts an animal a lion), a tag value may be included within        the message tag 420 that is indicative of the relevant animal.        Tag values may be generated manually, based on user input, or        may be automatically generated using, for example, image        recognition.    -   message sender identifier 422: an identifier (e.g., a messaging        system identifier, email address, or device identifier)        indicative of a user of the Client device 102 on which the        message 400 was generated and from which the message 400 was        sent.    -   message receiver identifier 424: an identifier (e.g., a        messaging system identifier, email address, or device        identifier) indicative of a user of the client device 102 to        which the message 400 is addressed.

The contents (e.g., values) of the various components of message 400 maybe pointers to locations in tables within which content data values arestored. For example, an image value in the message image payload 406 maybe a pointer to (or address of) a location within an image table 316.Similarly, values within the message video payload 408 may point to datastored within a video table 314, values stored within the messageaugmentations 412 may point to data stored in an augmentation table 310,values stored within the message story identifier 418 may point to datastored in a story table 312, and values stored within the message senderidentifier 422 and the message receiver identifier 424 may point to userrecords stored within an entity table 304.

Time-Based Access Limitation Architecture

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an access-limiting process500, in terms of which access to content (e.g., an ephemeral message502, and associated multimedia payload of data) or a content collection(e.g., an ephemeral message group 504) may be time-limited (e.g., madeephemeral).

An ephemeral message 502 is associated with an identification of asending user (MSG_SENDER_ID 422 of FIG. 4) and is shown to be associatedwith a message duration parameter 506, the value of which determines anamount of time that the ephemeral message 502 will be displayed to areceiving user of the ephemeral message 502 by the messaging client 104.In one example, an ephemeral message 502 is viewable by a receiving userfor up to a maximum of 10 seconds, depending on the amount of time thatthe sending user specifies using the message duration parameter 506.

The message duration parameter 506 and the message receiver identifier424 are shown to be inputs to a message timer 512, which is responsiblefor determining the amount of time that the ephemeral message 502 isshown to a particular receiving user identified by the message receiveridentifier 424. In particular, the ephemeral message 502 will only beshown to the relevant receiving user for a time period determined by thevalue of the message duration parameter 506, The message timer 512 isshown to provide output to a more generalized ephemeral timer system202, which is responsible for the overall timing of display of content(e.g., an ephemeral message 502) to a receiving user.

The ephemeral message 502 is shown in FIG. 5 to be included within anephemeral message group 504 (e.g., a collection of media content itemsin a personal story, or an event story). The ephemeral message group 504has an associated group duration parameter 508, a value of whichdetermines a time duration for which the ephemeral message group 504 ispresented and accessible to users of the messaging system 100. The groupduration parameter 508, for example, may be a predetermined amount oftime, e.g., 24 hours.

Additionally, each ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral messagegroup 504 has an associated group participation parameter 510, a valueof which determines the duration of time for which the ephemeral message502 will be accessible within the context of the ephemeral message group504. Accordingly, a particular ephemeral message group 504 may “expire”and become inaccessible within the context of the ephemeral messagegroup 504, prior to the ephemeral message group 504 itself expiring interms of the group duration parameter 508. The group duration parameter508, group participation parameter 510, and message receiver identifier424 each provide input to a group timer 514, which operationallydetermines, firstly, whether a particular ephemeral message 502 of theephemeral message group 504 will be displayed to a particular receivinguser and, if so, for how long. Note that the ephemeral message group 504is also aware of the identity of the particular receiving user as aresult of the message receiver identifier 424.

Accordingly, the group timer 514 operationally controls the overalllifespan of an associated ephemeral message group 504, as well as anindividual ephemeral message 502 included in the ephemeral message group504, In one example, each and every ephemeral message 502 within theephemeral message group 504 remains viewable and accessible for a timeperiod specified by the group duration parameter 508. In a furtherexample, a certain ephemeral message 502 may expire, within the contextof ephemeral message group 504, based on a group participation parameter510. Note that a message duration parameter 506 may still determine theduration of time for which a particular ephemeral message 502 isdisplayed to a receiving user, even within the context of the ephemeralmessage group 504. Accordingly, the message duration parameter 506determines the duration of time that a particular ephemeral message 502is displayed to a receiving user, regardless of whether the receivinguser is viewing that ephemeral message 502 inside or outside the contextof an ephemeral message group 504.

The ephemeral timer system 202 may furthermore operationally remove aparticular ephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504based on a determination that it has exceeded an associated groupparticipation parameter 510. For example, when a sending user hasestablished a group participation parameter 510 of 24 hours fromposting, the ephemeral timer system 202 will remove the relevantephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504 after thespecified 24 hours. The ephemeral timer system 202 also operates toremove an ephemeral message group 504 when either the groupparticipation parameter 510 for each and every ephemeral message 502within the ephemeral message group 504 has expired, or when theephemeral message group 504 itself has expired in terms of the groupduration parameter 508.

In certain use cases, a creator of a particular ephemeral message group504 may specify an indefinite group duration parameter 508. In thiscase, the expiration of the group participation parameter 510 for thelast remaining ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral message group504 will determine when the ephemeral message group 504 itself expires.In this case, a new ephemeral message 502, added to the ephemeralmessage group 504, with a new group participation parameter 510,effectively extends the life of an ephemeral message group 504 to equalthe value of the group participation parameter 510.

Responsive to the ephemeral timer system 202 determining that anephemeral message group 504 has expired (e.g., is no longer accessible),the ephemeral timer system 202 communicates with the messaging system100 (and, for example, specifically the messaging client 104) to causean indicium (e.g., an icon) associated with the relevant ephemeralmessage group 504 to no longer be displayed within a user interface ofthe messaging client 104. Similarly, when the ephemeral timer system 202determines that the message duration parameter 506 for a particularephemeral message 502 has expired, the ephemeral timer system 202 causesthe messaging client 104 to no longer display an indicium (e.g., an iconor textual identification) associated with the ephemeral message 502.

As mentioned above, where an ephemeral message group 504 is a collectionof media content items, the messaging system may be configured todisplay, on a viewer's display device, an indication of a remaining timeperiod, within which a user can still view the collection, e.g., howmany hours are remaining in the least recent media content item in thecollection. In some examples, an indication of a remaining time periodfor viewing the collection, relative to the entire period within which acollection is available for access (e.g., 2.4 hours), is in the form ofa ring displayed around the thumbnail of the most recently added contentitem from the collection, with 24 hours represented by the 360 degreesof the ring. The time ring may show the portion of the time period,within which a user can still view the collection, by expiring in aclockwise fashion, the expired time period indicated by a color or shadeof the ring that is different from the color indicating the remainingtime period. The time ring may be generated by the context surfacingsystem 212 of FIG. 2, Example operations performed by the contextsurfacing system 212 of FIG. 2 are described below, with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method 600 for facilitating context surfacingin collections. The method 600 may be performed by processing logic thatmay comprise hardware (e.g., dedicated logic, programmable logic,microcode, etc.), software, or a combination of both. Although thedescribed flowcharts can show operations as a sequential process, manyof the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. Inaddition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process isterminated when its operations are completed. A process may correspondto a method, a procedure, an algorithm, etc. The operations of methodsmay be performed in whole or in part, may be performed in conjunctionwith some or all of the operations in other methods, and may beperformed by any number of different systems, such as the systemsdescribed herein, or any portion thereof, such as a processor includedin any of the systems.

In one example embodiment, some or all processing logic resides at theclient device 102 of FIG. 1 and/or at the messaging server system 108 ofFIG. 1, The method 600 commences at operation 610, when the contextsurfacing system 212 of FIG. 2 accesses a collection created by a user.The collection comprises a set of media content items and is configuredto cause displaying items in the set of media content items one afteranother, each for a predetermined period of time. At operation 620, thecontext surfacing system 212 determines a subtext trigger associatedwith the collection. The subtext trigger is distinct from items from theset of media content items and is also distinct from informationidentifying the user who created the collection. For example, thesubtext trigger may be a caption included with an item in the set ofmedia content items (e.g., “a view from my window this morning.” Asanother example, the subtext trigger may indicate the state of theclient device, such as a low battery state.

At operation 630, the context surfacing system 212 generates a contextstring representing the subtext trigger. At operation 640, the contextsurfacing system 212 generates a first collections user interfaceincluding a first cell representing the collection, where the first cellcomprises the context string and is actionable to cause presentation ofthe set of media content items on a client device of a viewer.

An example of a collections user interface 700 including a cell 710representing the collection is shown in FIG. 7, The cell 710 includesinformation identifying the user who created the collection (here, “BenLee”), a thumbnail 712 of an item from the set of media content itemsincluded in the collection, and a context string “At the Zoo.” In thisexample, the context string “At the Zoo” is created based on a subtexttrigger, which is a caption in the item from the set of media contentitems that corresponds to the thumbnail 712 (it can be seen that thethumbnail 712 depicts an animal).

Also shown in FIG. 7 is a cell 720 that includes information identifyingthe user who created the associated collection (here, “Bevis Behar”), athumbnail of an item from the set of media content items included in thecollection, and a context string “Low battery.” In this example, thecontext string “Low battery” is created based on a subtext trigger,which indicates the state of a client device of a user who created theassociated collection.

Also shown in FIG. 7 is a cell 730 that includes information identifyingthe user who created the associated collection (here, “Matt Teece”), athumbnail of an item from the set of media content items included in thecollection, and a context string “Group invite.” In this example, thecontext string “Group invite” is created based on a subtext trigger,which is associated with an interactive tool provided with an itemcorresponding to the thumbnail image. In this example, the interactivetool is a user-selectable element presented as part of a media contentitem in a collection indicating a proposed action for the viewer to joina particular group of users in the messaging system. Also shown in thecell 730 is a time ring, displayed around the thumbnail. The time ringshows the portion of the time period, within which a user can still viewthe collection. Here, the expired time period is indicated by a thickerline.

As discussed above, a context object representing an action in themessaging system, e.g., an interactive tool, can also be used togenerate a post view user-selectable element and include it in a cellrepresenting a previously viewed collection in a collections userinterface. For example, a collections user interface 800 shown in FIG. 8includes a cell 810 that represents the same collection as the cell 730in FIG. 7. The collection is represented by the cell 810 after theviewer has viewed the collection. While in FIG. 7 the cell 730 includesthe context string “Group invite,” which is created based on a subtexttrigger associated with an interactive tool presented as part of a mediacontent item in a collection and indicating a proposed action for theviewer to join a particular group of users in the messaging system, thecell 810 in FIG. 8 includes a post view user-selectable element 812 isactionable to activate the interactive tool to request that the viewerjoins the associated group in the messaging system.

Machine Architecture

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of the machine 600 within whichinstructions 608 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet,an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine 900 to performany one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed.For example, the instructions 908 may cause the machine 900 to executeany one or more of the methods described herein. The instructions 908transform the general, non-programmed machine 900 into a particularmachine 900 programmed to carry out the described and illustratedfunctions in the manner described. The machine 900 may operate as astandalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine 900 may operate in the capacityof a server machine or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine 900 may comprise, but not be limitedto, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), atablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment media system, acellular telephone, a smartphone, a mobile device, a wearable device(e.g., a smartwatch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance),other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing theinstructions 908, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to betaken by the machine 900. Further, while only a single machine 900 isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include acollection of machines that individually or jointly execute theinstructions 908 to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. The machine 900, for example, may comprise the clientdevice 102 or any one of a number of server devices forming part of themessaging server system 108. In some examples, the machine 900 may alsocomprise both client and server systems, with certain operations of aparticular method or algorithm being performed on the server-side andwith certain operations of the particular method or algorithm beingperformed on the client-side.

The machine 900 may include processors 902, memory 904, and input/outputI/O components 938, which may be configured to communicate with eachother via a bus 940. In an example, the processors 902 (e.g., a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)Processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) Processor, aGraphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-FrequencyIntegrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitablecombination thereof) may include, for example, a processor 906 and aprocessor 910 that execute the instructions 908. The term “processor” isintended to include multi-core processors that may comprise two or moreindependent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that mayexecute instructions contemporaneously. Although FIG. 9 shows multipleprocessors 902, the machine 900 may include a single processor with asingle-core, a single processor with multiple cores (e.g., a multi-coreprocessor), multiple processors with a single core, multiple processorswith multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory 904 includes a main memory 912, a static memory 914, and astorage unit 916, both accessible to the processors 902 via the bus 940.The main memory 904, the static memory 914, and storage unit 916 storethe instructions 908 embodying any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. The instructions 908 may also reside,completely or partially, within the main memory 912, within the staticmemory 914, within machine-readable medium 918 within the storage unit919, within at least one of the processors 902 (e.g., within theProcessor's cache memory), or any suitable combination thereof, duringexecution thereof by the machine 900.

The I/O components 938 may include a wide variety of components toreceive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information,exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/Ocomponents 938 that are included in a particular machine will depend onthe type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobilephones may include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms,while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touchinput device. It will be appreciated that the I/O components 938 mayinclude many other components that are not shown in FIG. 9. In variousexamples, the I/O components 938 may include user output components 924and user input components 926. The user output components 924 mayinclude visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma displaypanel (PDP), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acousticcomponents (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor,resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and so forth. The userinput components 926 may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., akeyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, aphoto-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components),point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, or another pointing instrument), tactileinput components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provideslocation and force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile inputcomponents), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like.

In further examples, the I/O components 938 may include biometriccomponents 928, motion components 930, environmental components 932, orposition components 934, among a wide array of other components. Forexample, the biometric components 928 include components to detectexpressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocalexpressions, body gestures, or eye-tracking), measure biosignals (e.g.,blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brainwaves), identify a person (e.g., voice identification, retinalidentification, facial identification, fingerprint identification, orelectroencephalogram-based identification), and the like. The motioncomponents 930 include acceleration sensor components (e.g.,accelerometer), gravitation sensor components, rotation sensorcomponents gyroscope).

The environmental components 932 include, for example, one or cameras(with still image/photograph and video capabilities), illuminationsensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components(e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambient temperature),humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g.,barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphonesthat detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g.,infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gasdetection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases forsafety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other componentsthat may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding toa surrounding physical environment.

With respect to cameras, the client device 102 may have a camera systemcomprising, for example, front cameras on a front surface of the clientdevice 102 and rear cameras on a rear surface of the client device 102.The front cameras may, for example, be used to capture still images andvideo of a user of the client device 102 (e.g., “selfies”), which maythen be augmented with augmentation data (e.g., filters) describedabove. The rear cameras may, for example, be used to capture stillimages and videos in a more traditional camera mode, with these imagessimilarly being augmented with augmentation data. In addition to frontand rear cameras, the client device 102 may also include a 360° camerafor capturing 360° photographs and videos.

Further, the camera system of a client device 102 may include dual rearcameras (e.g., a primary camera as well as a depth-sensing camera), oreven triple, quad or penta rear camera configurations on the front andrear sides of the client device 102. These multiple cameras systems mayinclude a wide camera, an ultra-wide camera, a telephoto camera, a macrocamera and a depth sensor, for example.

The position components 934 include location sensor components (e.g., aGPS receiver component), altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters orbarometers that detect air pressure from which altitude may be derived),orientation sensor components (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 938 further include communication components 936operable to couple the machine 900 to a network 920 or devices 922 viarespective coupling or connections. For example, the communicationcomponents 936 may include a network interface Component or anothersuitable device to interface with the network 920. In further examples,the communication components 936 may include wired communicationcomponents, wireless communication components, cellular communicationcomponents, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth®components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), components, and othercommunication components to provide communication via other modalities.The devices 922 may be another machine or any of a wide variety ofperipheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Moreover, the communication components 636 may detect identifiers orinclude components operable to detect identifiers. For example, thecommunication components 636 may include Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components,optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detectone-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code,multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Azteccode, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2Dbar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components(e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, avariety of information may be derived via the communication components936, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, locationvia Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting an NFC beaconsignal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth.

The various memories (e.g., main memory 912, static memory 914, andmemory of the processors 902) and storage unit 916 may store one or moresets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software) embodying orused by any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein. These instructions (e.g., the instructions 908), when executedby, processors 902, cause various operations to implement the disclosedexamples.

The instructions 908 may be transmitted or received over the network920, using a transmission medium, via a network interface device (e.g.,a network interface component included in the communication components936) and using any one of several well-known transfer protocols (e.g.,hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, the instructions 608 maybe transmitted or received using a transmission medium via a coupling(e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to the devices 922.

Glossary

“Carrier signal” refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of such instructions,Instructions may be transmitted or received over a network using atransmission medium via a network interface device.

“Client device” refers to any machine that interfaces to acommunications network to obtain resources from one or more serversystems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is notlimited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, or any other communicationdevice that a user may use to access a network.

“Communication network” refers to one or more portions of a network thatmay be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a widearea network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS)network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi®network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more suchnetworks. For example, a network or a portion of a network may include awireless or cellular network and the coupling may be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellular or wirelesscoupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any of a varietyof types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier RadioTransmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data. Optimized (EVDO)technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G)networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by variousstandard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or otherdata transfer technology.

“Component” refers to a device, physical entity, or logic havingboundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs,or other technologies that provide for the partitioning ormodularization of particular processing or control functions. Componentsmay be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry outa machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardwareunit designed for use with other components and a part of a program thatusually performs a particular function of related functions. Componentsmay constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on amachine-readable medium) or hardware components. A “hardware component”is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or agroup of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an applicationor application portion) as a hardware component that operates to performcertain operations as described herein. A hardware component may also beimplemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combinationthereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicatedcircuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certainoperations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor,such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwarecomponent may include software executed by a general-purpose processoror other programmable processor. Once configured by such software,hardware components become specific machines (or specific components ofa machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and areno longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that thedecision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software), may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations. Accordingly, the phrase “hardware component” (or“hardware-implemented component”) should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein, Considering embodiments in which hardwarecomponents are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises ageneral-purpose processor configured by software to become aspecial-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware components) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instanceof time and to constitute a different hardware component at a differentinstance of time, Hardware components can provide information to, andreceive information from, other hardware components. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware components may be regarded as being communicativelycoupled. Where multiple hardware components exist contemporaneously,communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., overappropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of thehardware components. In embodiments in which multiple hardwarecomponents are configured or instantiated at different times,communications between such hardware components may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware components have access. Forexample, one hardware component may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware component may then, at alater time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware components may also initiate communications with inputor output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation). The various operations of example methods described hereinmay be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implementedcomponents that operate to perform one or more operations or functionsdescribed herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented component”refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors.Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors 1004 orprocessor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processorsmay also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance ofcertain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be located in a single geographiclocation within a home environment, an office environment, or a serverfarm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

“Computer-readable storage medium” refers to both machine-storage mediaand transmission media. Thus, the terms include both storagedevices/media and carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms“machine-readable medium,” “computer-readable medium” and“device-readable medium” mean the same thing and may be usedinterchangeably in this disclosure.

“Machine storage medium” refers to a single or multiple storage devicesand media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and associatedcaches and servers) that store executable instructions, routines anddata. The term shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limitedto, solid-state memories, and optical and magnetic media, includingmemory internal or external to processors. Specific examples ofmachine-storage media, computer-storage media and device-storage mediainclude non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductormemory devices, e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM),electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FPGA, andflash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks andremovable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks Theterms “machine-storage medium,” “device-storage medium,”“computer-storage medium” mean the same thing and may be usedinterchangeably in this disclosure. The terms “machine-storage media,”“computer-storage media,” and “device-storage media” specificallyexclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, and other such media, atleast some of which are covered under the term “signal medium.”

“Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium” refers to a tangiblemedium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying theinstructions for execution by a machine.

“Signal medium” refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by amachine and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. Theterm “signal medium” shall be taken to include any form of a modulateddata signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term “modulated datasignal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics setor changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. Theterms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” mean the same thing andmay be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: in a messaging system forexchanging data over a network, accessing a collection created by a userin the messaging system, the collection comprising a set of mediacontent items, the collection configured to cause displaying items inthe set of media content items one after another, each for apredetermined period of time; determining a subtext trigger associatedwith the collection, the subtext trigger being distinct from items fromthe set of media content items and distinct from information identifyingthe user, the subtext trigger associated with a proposed action for aviewer; based on the determined subtext trigger, generating a contextstring representing the subtext trigger and a user-selectable elementrepresenting the proposed action; generating a first collections userinterface including a first cell representing the collection, the firstcell comprising the context string, the first cell actionable to causepresentation of the set of media content items on a client device of theviewer; and in response to determining that the collection waspreviously accessed by the viewer, generating a second collections userinterface including a second cell representing the collection, thesecond cell comprising the user-selectable element representing theproposed action.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the subtext triggeris a caption included with an item in the set of media content items andthe context string represents the caption.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the subtext trigger indicates state of the client device.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the subtext trigger indicates an augmentedreality component and the context string represents an identification ofthe augmented reality component.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thesubtext trigger is an interactive tool included in an item from the setof media content items.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein theuser-selectable element representing the action is actionable toactivate the interactive tool.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst cell comprises a thumbnail of an image from the set of mediacontent items and an indication of a remaining time period, within whichthe viewer can access the collection, the indication of the remainingtime period is displayed as a partial ring around the thumbnail.
 8. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the image is associated with a content itemin the set of media content items that was most recently added to thecollection.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the items in the set ofmedia content items comprise content captured by a camera.
 10. A systemcomprising: one or more processors; and a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium comprising instructions that when executed bythe one or processors cause the one or more processors to performoperations comprising: in a messaging system for exchanging data over anetwork, accessing a collection created by a user in the messagingsystem, the collection comprising a set of media content items, thecollection configured to cause displaying items in the set of mediacontent items one after another, each for a predetermined period oftime; determining a subtext trigger associated with the collection, thesubtext trigger being distinct from items from the set of media contentitems and distinct from information identifying the user, the subtexttrigger associated with a proposed action for a viewer; based on thedetermined subtext trigger, generating a context string representing thesubtext trigger and a user-selectable element representing the proposedaction; generating a first collections user interface including a firstcell representing the collection, the first cell comprising the contextstring, the first cell actionable to cause presentation of the set ofmedia content items on a client device of the viewer; and in response todetermining that the collection was previously accessed by the viewer,generating a second collections user interface including a second cellrepresenting the collection, the second cell comprising theuser-selectable element representing the proposed action.
 11. The systemof claim 10, wherein the subtext trigger is a caption included with anitem in the set of media content items and the context string representsthe caption.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the subtext triggerindicates state of the client device.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein the subtext trigger indicates an augmented reality component andthe context string represents an identification of the augmented realitycomponent.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the subtext trigger is aninteractive tool included in an item from the set of media contentitems.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the user-selectable elementrepresenting the action is actionable to activate the interactive tool.16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cell comprises a thumbnailof an image from the set of media content items and an indication of aremaining time period, within which the viewer can access thecollection, the indication of the remaining time period is displayed asa partial ring around the thumbnail.
 17. The system of claim 16, whereinthe image is associated with a content item in the set of media contentitems that was most recently added to the collection.
 18. Amachine-readable non-transitory storage medium having instruction dataexecutable by a machine to cause the machine to perform operationscomprising: in a messaging system for exchanging data over a network,accessing a collection created by a user in the messaging system, thecollection comprising a set of media content items, the collectionconfigured to cause displaying items in the set of media content itemsone after another, each for a predetermined period of time; determininga subtext trigger associated with the collection, the subtext triggerbeing distinct from items from the set of media content items anddistinct from information identifying the user, the subtext triggerassociated with a proposed action for a viewer; based on the determinedsubtext trigger, generating a context string representing the subtexttrigger and a user-selectable element representing the proposed action;generating a first collections user interface including a first cellrepresenting the collection, the first cell comprising the contextstring, the first cell actionable to cause presentation of the set ofmedia content items on a client device of the viewer; and in response todetermining that the collection was previously accessed by the viewer,generating a second collections user interface including a second cellrepresenting the collection, the second cell comprising theuser-selectable element representing the proposed action.